'Sharknado' Stars Explain Cult Film Phenomenon

Ian Ziering and Tara Reid of Syfy's "Sharknado" franchise talk to NBC's Caroline Carballeira about the franchise's pop culture endurance, other famous stars fans can expect to see in the latest film and what's in store for the franchise's future. "Sharknado 5: Global Swarming" premieres August 6, 2017. (Published Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017)

Sharknado is back, and now the terrifying, shark-infested storms are going international.

Ian Ziering and Tara Reid star in "Sharknado 5: Global Swarming," the latest installment of Syfy's popular movie series. Fin Shepard (Ziering) and April Wexler (Reid) must travel around the world, making stops in London, Rio and Tokyo to protect innocent people from the wrath of Sharknados.

"The movie takes place on a global stage," Ziering said. "No one is safe. Wherever you're hiding, there's a Sharknado coming for you."

The newest film features a number of cameos: Fabio plays the Pope, while Chris Kattan appears as the British Prime Minister. Olivia Newton-John, Al Roker and Charo also make appearances as Fin and April seek to end the storms.

In interviews, Ziering and Reid opened up about their experience shooting the film across the globe, named their favorite celebrity cameos and offered their take on why the Sharknado obsession has taken hold across the country.

"It makes people happy. It doesn't take itself seriously," Reid said.

"Summertime Super Bowl," Ziering added. "People expect a Sharknado every year ... It's going to go on as long as the fans keep watching. There doesn't seem to be any slow down."